FAMILY READING FOR THE SABBATH. BY MRS. M. E. DOUBLEDAY. to use its own expressive language, begin to gather its rich treasures; and the more familiar we become with the sacred page, the more does it interest the mind, the more deep the reverence it inspires in the soul. DURING the hours of the Sabbath-school, | Only those who search it, who "dig in it," the children are instructed and carefully guarded from profaning the holy hours. The books are usually revised and selected with care, and are all valuable in their kind and place. And the question which we would submit is, not that of the merit of the books provided by the libraries of the Sunday-schools, but of the propriety of suffering the young to form the habit of miscellaneous reading on the Sabbath -involving, as it speedily does, the neglect of the Word of God during the hours he calls his own, and leading, as we fear, to the consequent neglect of and disrelish for the Bible at other times: all tending to destroy the deep reverence due to the Word of God, and to impair the sanctity of the Sabbath. It will be found a fact, that where the Bible is most read, most loved, the Sabbath is most carefully observed, most highly reverenced; and those who are most conversant with the Word of God, will be found to have most of the influences of his Spirit. If these tendencies do exist, we must look to parents for the counteracting influence. Would there not be somewhat of a return to the habits of a stricter age, if the parents should lay aside the newspaper and the magazine, and require of the child the book, and all make the Bible the companion of the holy hours? If parents and children would devote a part of the day, and yet not a mere shred of holy time either, in reading it together with their children, how much would be found to delight and interest the younger minds, and what sources of instruction would open for the parent! The Bible is unlike all other books: there is an infinite variety in it. It never stales, never wearies. It opens fields of thought and interest which are boundless, and possesses a eharm ever new. Its history, its biography, its geography, its poetry, present themes of the deepest interest. It is a study for life. It will be doubtless pondered in the ages of eternity, as the mysteries it darkly announces are there unveiled. There is, therefore, no fear of satiety. Yet if there are those who feel that the evil tendencies do not exist, that our Sabbath regulations are too strict, and partake too much of hereditary Puritanism; if the Sabbath-school book be the proper book for the leisure hours of the Sabbath, few will deem it best that it should be read during the hours of public worship, in the very seats of the sanctuary. Yet this is frequently to be noted; and the parent is either unconscious of the fault or unobservant of the act, until it passes into the habit with the child-and yet a habit greatly to be reprobated, both from its present effect and its future influence. Such children are thus losing the benefits of the present instruction and ordinances, while they are forming habits of listlessness and inattention which will affect the future life. "How awful is this place! this is none other than the house of God, the gate of heaven!" is the aspiration of each devout worshipper; and one object to be effected by the early introduction of children to the services of thehouse of God, is the forming of habits of reverential devotion there. But no right impressions are produced where the child is thus allowed to pursue another avocation, and to withdraw all attention from the ordinances beneath the very droppings of the pulpit. And while forming habits which will destroy the future influences of the ordinances of public worship, the child is losing the present instruction and all the benefits offered. The voice of prayer, the simple, fervent petition, confession, and ascription, will touch the heart of the mere infant when the attention is fixed; and if there are teachings beyond the child, things "hard to be understood," there are the exhortations to holiness, the calls to repentance, the declarations of the justice of an offended God, of the love and mercy of a crucified Redeemer, which touch the hearts of those too young to read and find their own amusement. without the care, the watchfulness, the oversight, which God requires of them; and we offer these suggestions, from the fears of many who have opportunities of more extensive observation, coincident with those of our own minds, that the very means designed to secure the full improvement of holy time, to extend its benefits, and lead to a more thorough and practical acquaintance with the word of Holy Writ, may, by the mingling of other influences, and the perversion of those used, diminish the distinctive sanctity of the Sabbath, lead to a lax observance of holy time, and draw the attention from the Word of God; while it has been thought that the substitution of the teach Many an arrow from the Gospel-quiver has been lodged in the heart of the mere infant, and resulted in its early renewal and sanctification. And when all the effect is not produced, the very habit of the devout, quiet, reverential attention, exerts a subduing, hallowing influence upon the heart and character, while the early habit of inattention and irreverence, indulged in early childhood, will lead to lightness and levity in youth, and indifference and carelessness through manhood, down to the drowsiness of concluding years. We offer these remarks with much re-ing of the school for the instruction of the luctance-certainly actuated by no unkind parent, has, in its tendency, blunted the feeling towards the institutions which sense of parental responsibility, and lowhave furnished the ground for these ob- ered the tone of family piety and the filial servations. We regard them as of value reverence of the child; for nothing gives almost inestimable, and it is the fault of the character of the parent more sacredman's infirm nature if their proper influ- ness than the office of the religious ences are perverted. We address our teacher and guardian; and we have hoped selves to parents, because, in the very that, by calling attention to the subject, abundance and excellence of the means the evils might be remedied-the benefits provided for the training of their children, all secured and perpetuated.-New York they may feel that the object is insured Evangelist. Entelligence. NEW SUNDAY-SCHOOL AT BARNSLEY.-We are glad to learn that a new school is being built by the Independents, upon a piece of ground adjoining their chapel. WESLEYAN SUNDAY-SCHOOLS AT BARNSLEY. On the 6th ult., after sermons in the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, White Abbey, the sum of £20 was collected in aid of the schools. PERSHORE NATIONAL AND SUNDAYSCHOOLS.-On the 8th ult. the annual festivities of these schools were celebrated in the presence of a considerable number of clergymen, a very respectable attendance of the gentry of the place, and of the parents of the children. The school-room having been gaily dressed for the occasion, the attendance of the children was requested at half-past three o'clock, at which hour the Rev. J. H. Chowne proceeded to distribute the prizes. From the remarks which he made (as examiner for the year) we gather that the children had made great progress during the last twelve months, which had been amply proved by a searching examination of fifteen hours. The ladies and gentlemen present then distributed the tea and cake, of which about 250 children partook; after which the Rev. Henry Malpas addressed the children. Towards the conclusion of his address he said he begged particularly (on the part of the Committee) to thank the Sunday-school teachers for their at tendance during the past year, and to say that the small number of teachers rendered their attention to the children the more praiseworthy. God save the Queen was then sung, and the children adjourned to a field adjoining, where they were joined in their games by the clergy and others present. 66 PERSHORE BAPTIST SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.The forty-fifth aniversary of the Sundayschools in connexion with the Baptist cause in this town, was celebrated at the Temperance Hall on the 8th ult., on which occasion upwards of 250 of the children, teachers, friends, and patrons of the institution, took tea together. After tea the children marched in order with colours streaming in the wind, and banners inscribed with suitable mottos, to a field about half a mile distant from the town, kindly lent for the occasion by Mr. Wm. Pitcher, farmer. Having amused themselves until the shadows of evening drew on apace, they returned to the Hall, After singing their anniversary hymn, and receiving a short address from the Rev. F. Overbury, they separated. BEWDLEY CHURCH SCHOOLS.-After the annual sermons on the 6th ult., in St. Ann's Chapel, by the Revs. J. Cawood and C. Weston, the handsome sum of £65 was collected. ence might not be oppressive; and also to give to the scenery the pleasing vicissitude of an unvaried tone of sober colouring. It would be difficult to decide whether the juveniles enjoyed most the travelling or the ramble through Matlock. The lovely valleys of Amber, Alderwasley, and Hotstanwell, with their sylvan glades the verdant slopes, the wood-crowned heights, seemed to overcharge the souls of the enthusiastic admirers with delight. At length the trains arrived at the farfamed spot, Where rocks on rocks, on forests forests rise, Spurn the low earth and mingle with the skies. The vast assembly proceeded in beautiful order, with all the flags displayed, under the direction of Mr. B. Bryan, the Matlock GLEMSFORD SUNDAY AND DAILY SCHOOLS. —At the annual commemoration of this institution, about 180 children met at the Rectory House and grounds, where, after being amply supplied with bread and butter, buns, and tea, they enjoyed them-guide, to the Heights of Abraham, from selves with a variety of sports. On the following evening (Sunday) the Rev. Edwin Sidney, M.A., Rector of Little Cornard, made an appeal in behalf of these schools to one of the most crowded congregations which ever assembled within the walls of the parish church: the collection, however, only amounted to £8. EXCURSION OF THE DERBY SUNDAY-SCHOOL "We the terraces of which some of the finest but no description can do justice to this prospects of Matlock scenery are obtained, part of the excursion. The reader must picture to himself the mountain covered and girls, clad in the gay colours, which with young men and women, and boys in these days our manufacturing ingenuity supplies, and illuminated not only by the glorious sun, but also by thousands of sparkling eyes and smiling faces, and he may form an idea, but far below the reality, of the imposing spectacle. At the entrance to the Rutland Cavern we heard the voice of praise ascending in the language of Watts 'Lord, how thy wonders are displayed, Where'er I turn mine eyes!' UNION TO MATLOCK.-On the 1st ult., the Sunday-schools in the Union had a pleasant excursion to Matlock.-The Derby Reporter, in describing the trip, says: noticed one flag with the royal arms in the centre, beautifully executed in needlework by a female teacher, with silk, upon French merino; another with a representation of Jesus blessing young children; and another, The good Shepherd,' carry- Indeed the cheerful hymn might be heard ing a lamb in his arms. Various devices throughout the afternoon. The smiling and mottos adorned other flags, each con- valley, the dreary tunnel, the towering taining the name of the school and a cliff, and the shady avenue, were all made sentence from the inspired volume, or vocal with the praises of Him whose other appropriate inscription, such as-temple is all space.' The Rutland Cavern, 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of which was beautifully illuminated with wisdom'-' I love them that love me, and blue and crimson lights, was an object of they that seek me early shall find me' great attraction. Long will this happy Train up a child in the way he should | day be remembered-long will the recolgo-The Bible our only guide-Educa- lection of the first excursion of the Suntion is the basis of freedom.' The party day scholars of Derby to the Matlock dale occupied two trains, numbering together be cherished by those who had the plea 60 carriages, with 2,300 passengers. The sure of participating in its chaste enjoyweather was exactly such as might be ments." desired-sunshine to give full effect to the distant part of the landscape and to the deep recesses of romantic Matlock; and occasional shade that the sun's influ MUNIFICENT DONATION.-J. Kershaw, Esq., M.P. for Stockport, has given £100 towards the liquidation of the debt on the Stockport Sunday-school, and has also consented to become a trustee for the treat. school. CHESTERTON SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.-On the 3rd ult., the children belonging to the Church Schools had their usual treat given them by the worthy vicar. The school-room was tastefully decorated with abundance of flowers, &c. At the hour appointed, the children sat down to an excellent tea, and were supplied with capital plum cake and bread and butter; after which they retired and spent the evening in a field adjoining the school. KIMBERLEY SCHOOL FESTIVAL.-On the 9th ult. the Sunday-school children of Kimberley and Awsworth had a rural The two schools, headed by the singers, made the circuit of the village, The joyous comchanting the Te Deum. pany afterwards wended their way to Awsworth Parsonage, where ample justice was done to the refreshments which had been liberally and kindly provided. The Rev. W. Clementson then distributed amongst the scholars about one thousand volumes of various sizes suited to the capacity of the children, including Bibles, Prayer-books, Hymn-books, &c. On the following Sunday, the anniver sary sermons in behalf of the Sundayschool at Kimberley were preached by the incumbent. Reviews. The Bible: its Elevating Influence on Man. every Sunday-school throughout the B. L. Green, Lon- Sabbaths with My Class. This forms the second volume of the Our notice of these excellent engravings is somewhat late; but if we cannot compliment Mr. Measom on the originality of his idea, which has evidently been taken from Cruikshank's "Bottle," we cannot refrain from expressing our admiration of the forcible manner in which he has depicted, in the six engravings before us, the elevating influence of the Bible on man. In the first engraving, the intoxicated husband, discovered by his wife in the gin-palace, is entreated by her to return home, while his drunken companion laughs at her misery. The second depicts the wretched home of the drunkard-the Pastor visiting him and his family, and urging them to read the Bible. The third represents the husband, himself reformed through the study of the Bible, reading it to his family. The fourth portrays the husband and his family uniting in the public worship of God. The subject of the fifth, is the husband being visited by his former bad companion, whom he exhorts to repentance. The sixth represents the husband on his death-gathered in. bed, surrounded by his family, and exhibiting, in the presence of his former companion, the serene fortitude and tranquil joy of the Christian. If the "Bottle" has shown us how man may sink, the "Bible" here shows us how man may rise; and we should be wanting to the cause of man's elevation and happiness if we did not cordially recommend the "Bible" to a place in every vestry and BOOKS RECEIVED. Stratagems: a story for Young People. min. Kitto's Cyclopædia of Biblical Literature, Jewish Herald. August. THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL MAGAZINE. SINGING. A LITTLE tour of observation, made a short time since, brought to our view a general defect in the singing exercises of Sunday-schools. When we see the fruits of teaching music to children, which are produced by the efforts of Mr. Bird in Philadelphia, Mr. Bradbury in New York, Mr. Hullah in London, and others of note in this line in our own country and abroad, it is quite trying to one's patience to hear the half-uttered words to some half-hummed tune, which are put off as the singing of a hymn of praise to God at the beginning or close of a Sunday-school session. The strongest and most permanent, and often the most influential religious impressions, result from the association of a warm devotional hymn with a natural and appropriate tune. No one can fail to see what an immeasurable and unfathomable influence would be gained over two millions of children and youth in our Sunday-schools, if they could all have well stored in their memories ten sacred songs, such as or, “Rise, my soul, and stretch thy wings," "From Greenland's icy mountain," or, "I sing the almighty power of God," or, "There is a happy land," &c., &c., to as many simple, but really good tunes, which all children love to sing. We mean, of course, that the words should be as familiar in the mouths of children as “yes” and “no,” and that they should always be connected with one and the same tune,-in such wise, that every happy and healthy association which has clung to it all along the path from childhood to youth, and then onward to manhood and old age, should be preserved like pearls strung upon a golden thread. Who could prevent the consummation of such a glorious attainment, if each Sunday-school teacher should determine to secure it for his or her class? We have been led to think of this subject just now by falling in with a copy of, or rather a commentary on, Mr. Wesley's instructions to his Society on this subject; and though they were originally intended for NEW SERIES, VOL. II.] OCTOBER, 1849. K |